Greetings Earthlings!

We have liftoff! For the next month or so – through December 7 minus the week of American Thanksgiving – it’s all systems go on the yeah write fall writing contest. It’s open to everybody at yeah write, no matter the genre, and I want you, my dear Earthlings, to bring your best work to the grids. Let’s show the wordier types what kind of punch you can pack into 42 words. How does it work? First, register for the contest by filling out this entry form. (You’ll need to do this each week you plan to enter.) Second, submit your gargleblaster microstory to the grid. Third, read all the entries and vote for your favorites as usual. Finally, check the winners’ post on Friday to see how the editors scored the entries across all three competitive grids. Gargleblaster microstories will be judged on how well you answer the ultimate question. Creativity, originality, and attention to language and detail are a must. You’ve only got 42 words: use them well.

At the end of the contest, the writer with the most accumulated points will win $200 cash! If you invite a friend to the challenge and your friend wins instead of you? You each get the $200 cash: your friend for winning and you for referring the winner to yeah write. We’ve got some great prizes lined up for second and third place as well. Visit the contest page for all you need to know about yeah write and our contest.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Answer the ultimate question in exactly 42 words: what is written in the stone?

If you are serious about the contest – and you should be – please pay special attention to the guidelines. PROOFREAD. Nothing is easier, and nothing will get you bumped from the voting grid faster than typos, spelling or punctuation mistakes, or grammatical errors. You’ve only got 42 words; mistakes stick out.

Don’t restate the question in your answer but do answer the question, keeping in mind that your post still has to make sense if your reader doesn’t know the question. Don’t use the question as your title or anywhere else in your piece. And remember, any words surrounding your gargleblaster — explanations, references, etc. — will be counted against your 42-word limit.

Need a second set of eyes? Find yourself a writing partner over in the yeah write coffeehouse.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

The top 42 entries will be open for voting on Thursday

You can enter only one gargleblaster microstory, but all entries will show up on our submissions grid. Submissions are moderated. Up to 42 entries will be moved to the voting grid, which opens on Thursday. Everybody: read, comment, vote!

If you don’t make the voting grid, don’t despair – you’ll get a detailed love letter from our wonderful submissions editor, Rowan G., letting you know what needed improvement. Email us or head over to our pages on Facebook and Twitter with any questions.

Winners will be announced on Friday

Look for Friday’s combined winners’ post to see the crowd favorites and editors’ picks from across all of our challenge grids.